Steam Machines: First impressions, The Specs, Prices, and Release Dates

We list Valve's first 14 living-room PCs and everything else you need to know about them.

With Valve's various Steam Machines launching next month, gamers will finally be able get to their hands on these compact gaming PCs. To help you get the full details before you potentially take the plunge, we've compiled all the Steam Machine's first wave details you need to know!

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This collection of over a dozen small living-room PCs--each with their own different specs, prices, and release dates--together encapsulate Valve's vision for Steam Machines: Scalable and modifiable units that aren't the typical desktop setup.

Each box will come with SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system designed by Valve, along with a Steam Controller. We recently did impressions on the controller itself, which you can watch in the above video.

If you'd like to learn more about the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller, check out our full coverage in the links below:

Because the system runs on Steam OS, you won't have access to the complete Steam library; only Linux-supported games will work on the machine. For a full run down on what you can play, SteamDB has a comprehensive list of compatible titles.

Alienware Steam Machines

Gaming laptop specialist Alienware offers a living-room PC with a glowing alien logo on its front panel, which depending on your taste is either a wonderful idea or cast-iron deal-breaker. There are four variants available, with the most basic offering 2GB of video memory, 4GB of system RAM, and an i3 processor. The high-end model doubles the system RAM and swaps the processor for an i7, making it a far more forward-thinking system. Pricing on the more advanced systems, however, is not available yet. All units can play up to 4 Steam Controllers at once.

Specs:

Alienware Steam Machine A

CPU: Intel Core i3 Dual-Core processor

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX - 2GB GDDR5

Memory: 4GB DDR3L 1600MHz

Storage: 500GB Hard Drive

Alienware Steam Machine B

CPU: Intel Core i3 Dual-Core processor

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX - 2GB GDDR5

Memory: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz

Storage: 1TB Hard Drive

Alienware Steam Machine C

CPU: Intel Core i5 Quad-Core processor

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX - 2GB GDDR5

Memory: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz

Storage: 1TB Hard Drive

Alienware Steam Machine D

CPU: Intel Core i7 Quad-Core processor

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX - 2GB GDDR5

Memory: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz

Storage: 2TB Hard Drive

Alternate Steam Machines

Alternate is positioning itself for the more affluent PC games enthusiast. Its range of Steam Machines start at $1100, and for this you can expect an NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750Ti and 8GB of system memory. That's not too distant from the more affordable Alienware system, but the key difference is Alternate's Steam box comes with a 500GB solid-state hybrid drive, which will theoretically make things run faster.

Specs:

Alternate Steam Machine

Price: $1,099 USD

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750Ti

Memory: 8GB DDR3-1600MHz

Storage: 500GB SSHD

Alternate Steam Machine - Advanced

Price: $1,299 USD

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 960

Memory: 8GB DDR3-1600MHz

Storage: 1TB SSHD

Alternate Steam Machine - Power

Price: $1,499 USD

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 970

Memory: 8GB DDR3-1600MHz

Storage: 1TB SSHD

Alternate Steam Machine - Ultra

Price: $1,899 USD

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 980

Memory: 8GB DDR3-1600MHz

Storage: 2TB SSHD

Asus ROG GR8S

Hardware jack-of-all-trades Asus offers a compact PC tower with a unique, angular look. As well as being visually arresting, it's also designed to be upgradable with straightforward slide-off panels. The unit starts at $700 for a Intel i5, a GeForce 9 graphics card, and 4GB of system memory. The range on offer has some customisability too, with the option of paying extra of a solid-state hard drive.

Specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5/i7 processors

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9-series graphics

Memory: DDR3 4GB ~ 16GB

Storage: 500GB/1TB 7200rpm HDD, or 128GB ~ 512GB SSD

Audio: ROG SupremeFX 5.1 HD audio

Network: Intel Gb LAN with 802.11 ac Wi-Fi

Digital Storm Eclipse Steam Machine

One for the traditionalists, the Digital Storm Eclipse comes in a familiar frame that can either stack vertically or horizontally. One of the benefits of this standardised size is that its graphics card can be swapped out, while other key components are upgradable too. Opting for a hard drive instead of solid state, the Digital Storm Eclipse offers 1 terabyte of storage at a reasonable price.

Specs:

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 960 2GB

RAM: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz

Storage: 1TB 7200RPM Machnical

Falcon Northwest Tiki Steam Machine

Just four inches wide and 13 inches tall, Tiki is a premium micro-tower that is described by manufacturer Falcon Northwest as the world's most powerful. It also has a shot at being the most expensive too, with top-of-the-line models fetching $5,000. GPUs range from GeForce 9 series to the Titan-Z class, with up to 8 terabytes of solid-state memory, and a liquid-cooled Intel i7. Comes in a range of colours too, which you can see in the gallery above. One thing worth asking yourself before you give into temptations to splurge: how much would this actually cost if I made it myself?

Specs:

CPU: Intel Core up to i7-4790K

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 900 series, including Titan and Titan-Z class

Memory: Up to 16GB of DDR3-1866 MHz

Storage: Up to 8 TB of SSD or SSDs and a standard HDD

Completely customizable configurations

Liquid cooled CPU

Overclocking available

Gigabyte BRIX Pro

Though some might find its stout body a little uninviting, Gigabyte's BRIX Pro is tiny, measuring just 62mm high and 114mm wide and deep. This barebones unit shrinks its size so rapidly by integrating its GPU onto its Intel i7 chip. The likelihood is you'll need to turn settings down on modern PC games. It also will require additional laptop memory and a 2.5 inch drive before it's up and running.

Specs:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770R

GPU: Intel Iris Pro graphics 5200

Memory: 2 x SO-DIMM DDR3L slots 1600 MHz

Storage: Supports 2.5” SSD/HDD (1 x 6Gbps SATA3)

Maingear Drift

It would be somewhat futile to gauge the value of the Drift since Maingear lists the cheapest price and the highest spec, but does not detail the prices relative to the specs. At maximum, the machine offers an i7 processor and a GTX 980, with the option to throw in up to 16GB of system memory, and two 1TB solid-state hard drives. It uses liquid cooling so will likely be quieter too.

Specs:

NextBox

Straddling the line between creative inspiration and copyright violation, the NextBox offers a trio of mid-to-high-end systems emblazoned with a green X logo. Word of warning: Some might mistake it for an amp. The low-end unit offers an i3 processor, a GTX 750, 8GB or system memory, and 1TB hard drive for $800.

Specs:

NextBox Steam Machine - $800

CPU: Intel Core I3 4160

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750

Memory: 8Gb DDR3

Storage: 1TB

NextBox Steam Machine - TBD

CPU: Intel Core I3 4160

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 960

Memory: 8Gb DDR3

Storage: 1TB

CPU: Intel Core I5 4460

NextBox Steam Machine - $1300

CPU: Intel® Core™ I5 4460

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 970

Memory: 8Gb DDR3

Storage: 512GB SSD

Origin Omega Steam Machine

In a game of PC spec oneupmanship, OriginPC's Omega will prove hard to beat. The high-end model offers 32GB of DDR3 system memory, an Intel i7 4770k, up to three Nvidia GTX980 cards, and up to 14TB of disc space. That'll fetch you $5000, while the more modest systems start at $900. It also comes in a range of form factors, from bulky boxes to units that resemble hi-fi seperates.

Specs:

Price: $899 - $4,999+ USD

CPU: Up to an Intel Core i7 4770k

GPU: Up to 3-WAY Nvidia Geforce GTX 980

Memory: Up to 32GB of 1866Mhz

Storage: Up to 14TB

Scan 3XS ST Steam Machine

Offering a console-sized system that's fully upgradable throughout, Scan's 3XS ST range offers three variants of a premium living-room PC. At $1000, the 3XSST offers 8GB of system memory, a GeForce GTX 750 Ti, and Intel i3 processor, and 120GB solid-state drive. Upgrading to the i5 and a GTX 970 will cost about $300 more.

Specs

Scan 3XS ST5 Steam Machine - $1000

CPU: Intel Core i3

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750 Ti

Memory: 8GB of Corsair DDR3 as standard, with 16GB available

Storage: 120GB SSD as standard, with larger options available

Scan 3XS ST10 Steam Machine - $1160

CPU: Intel Core i5

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 960

Memory: 8GB of Corsair DDR3 as standard, with 16GB available

Storage: 120GB SSD as standard, with larger options available

Scan 3XS ST15 Steam Machine - $1300

CPU: Intel Core i5

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 970

Memory: 8GB of Corsair DDR3 as standard, with 16GB available

Storage: 120GB SSD as standard, with larger options available

Syber Steam Machine

Syber is offering the widest range of Steam Machines, from humble $500 units (4GB RAM, AMD Athlon X4, 2GB Radeon R9) to high-end $1400 systems (8GB RAM, Intel i7, GTX 980 4GB). It resembles a PlayStation 2 if it were designed by Batman, with its corrugated plastic available in a range of hues.

Specs

Syber Steam Machine A

Price: $500

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 840

GPU: AMD Radeon R9 270 2GB

Memory: 4GB DDR3 1600MHz

Storage: 500GB 7200 RPM HDD

Syber Steam Machine I

Price: $700

CPU: Intel Core i3 4150

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 750Ti 2GB

Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz

Storage: 1TB 7200 RPM HDD

Syber Steam Machine X

Price: $1400

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 980 4GB

Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz

Storage: 1TB 7200 RPM HDD

Webhallen S15-01

Fans of Fred Perry apparel might have thought the outfitter has expanded into PCs when admiring the designer look of the S15-01. Manufacturer Webhallen says it has built the unit from the ground-up with optimum price in mind. It packs together an Intel i5, a 2GB GTX 960 and a 1TB solid-state hard drive for $950.

Specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460

GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 960 2GB

Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz

Storage: 1TB SSHD

Zotac Steam Machine SN970

The SN970 delivers premium specs within a diminutive case, which explains the $1000 price tag. Zotac says the CPU will be Intel 6th gen, but didn't specify, along with a 1TB Laptop-size hard drive, plus a 64GB SSD for zippy booting. Perhaps the standout feature is the 3GB GDDR5 GeForce 970M.